In the past three years, high-throughput satellite services have evolved from a way to deliver consumer Internet into a satellite architecture that looks increasingly dominant for point-to-point applications.In theory, HTS capacity can be provided in megahertz blocks – the traditional satcom offering – or in megabits, in which the satellite operator manages a tightly controlled vertical service platform.In practice, the only company with a megahertz business model, NewSat, went bankrupt in 2015, leaving the field to vertically integrated offerings from ViaSat, Intelsat, Eutelsat, Hughes, Avanti, O3B, SES, Yahsat, Telesat and others.

If HTS becomes dominant for non-broadcast applications – and some media narrowcast ones as well – it has the potential to heavily disrupt the business model of teleport operators.They have prospered by adding value to satellite bandwidth through the management of content, applications and highly customized networks for which they optimize performance.They have achieved economies of scale by leveraging that bandwidth across multiple customers and applications.They also have benefited from the ability to connect to any satellite in their visible arc where they have paid for access.

All these models may be threatened by satellite capacity that is entirely under the control of its operator and connects to only a handful of dedicated teleport hubs.WTA’s 2017 Member Meeting gives teleport operators the chance to hear the experiences of others, learn the plans and perspective of satellite operators and share their concerns about the future.

Schedule

12:00 pm

Buffet luncheon and networking

1:00

Welcome

1:05

Your Membership at Work

Briefing on WTA projects that should be top of mind. – Robert Bell

1:20

How Teleports Can Survive and Thrive in an HTS World

Panel discussion among teleport and satellite operators and their technology partners.

Speakers:

Jorge Luis Villarreal Schutz, CEO, Elara Comunicaciones

Dave Rehbehn, Vice President of International Marketing, Hughes

2:15

Ideas and Actions

Following the panel, an open discussion of the challenges and opportunities of the “HTS world” and suggestions for individual and collective action.